Jack Wilshere sends Max Dowman message to Thomas Tuchel ahead of World Cup

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere says Max Dowman is ‘definitely good enough’ to be included in England’s World Cup squad and Spain wouldn’t think twice about taking such an incredible talent.

Dowman has broken out of Arsenal’s academy ranks to establish himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football this season.

The 16-year-old attacker, who has long been tipped for a bright future in the game, well and truly announced his arrival with a scintillating cameo appearance in the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Everton last month.

After providing the cross that led to Viktor Gyokeres’ opener, Dowman doubled Arsenal’s lead with a stoppage-time stunner which saw him become the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League.

Another record fell during the international break as Dowman’s wonder strike in a 6-0 thrashing of Portugal saw him become the youngest scorer in England Under-19 history.

And while Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Southampton this weekend, Dowman’s meteoric rise continued as he came away from St Mary’s as the visitors’ standout player in what was only his third senior start.

Despite making just seven first-team appearances for his boyhood team, there is a growing clamour for Thomas Tuchel to consider the Chelmsford-born youngster for this summer’s spectacle in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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The likes of Michael Owen and Theo Walcott have talked down the prospect of England including Dowman, with Tuchel set to unveil his final 26-man party next month.

But ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere takes a different view, telling The Telegraph: ‘The only thing I would say is, Spain would take him.

That’s what I think.

‘We have this way at times in England of building them up but then protecting them.

You get caught in that [place]: “If he goes what will people say?”

‘He is definitely good enough.

Even if he goes and he doesn’t play that much.

Which I think he can.

‘I think he is good enough.

He is going to be there eventually.

‘I understand people saying, “Maybe not”.

But I also think [Lamine] Yamal went as a 16-year-old [to Euro 2024] and he was the best player in the tournament.’
Wilshere will know more than most how it feels to be in Dowman’s shoes having emerged from Arsenal’s academy as a supremely talented youngster, seemingly with the world at his feet.

But according to Wilshere, who now manages League One outfit Luton Town, Dowman can outdo what he achieved in his career should he go on and fulfil his full potential.

‘I remember calling my dad and saying, “Dad, you need to come and watch this kid.

I think he is better than me”,’ he explained.

‘My dad is very biased towards me.

He thinks I am the best player.

It actually gets to the point where I argue with him sometimes.

‘I don’t want to put pressure on him [Dowman], but there is so much now anyway.’
On Dowman’s unforgettable goal against Everton, Wilshere added: ‘I don’t score that goal at 16.’
Before England’s recent friendly matches with Uruguay and Japan, Tuchel refused to close the door on the possibility of Dowman receiving a call-up for the World Cup.

‘We always have the chance to call him up for the World Cup,’ the England head coach told reporters.

‘There is no need to call him up now to increase the pressure but we have all the options.

Why wouldn’t I keep the door open?

I keep the door open for anyone with any age.

‘It’s very young and there are arguments that it’s too young but why open all these arguments now?

Let him fight for his minutes.

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Should England take Max Dowman to the World Cup?

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You could argue you should be maybe a starter at your club to be considered.

‘Of course it’s impressive what he’s doing.

It’s impressive the feedback I get from players and people who know him.

We will have a look at it and we take the last decision when we build the World Cup squad in May.’
On the nation that football was increasingly becoming a younger player’s game, Tuchel replied: ‘It is, but there’s also the risk to compare it to Lamine Yamal, to compare it to, I don’t know… Lionel Messi and so on.

‘Has Lamine Yamal played more minutes for his club before he played for his country?

I would say so.

‘This is exactly the danger and the risk of all of that; it becomes a crazy hype that does in the end not help.’
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